Every Talk Is Either Practice or Positioning
Most people think of presentations as something to prepare for… deliver… and move on from. A meeting.A team update.A conference talk.A Toastmasters speech. You prepare. You deliver. You check it off. And then it’s over. But there’s a different way to think about your speaking. Every talk is either practice… or positioning. What Practice Thinking […]
Most Speakers Focus on Their Topic. That’s the Problem.
When people prepare a presentation, they usually start with their topic. Leadership.Communication.AI.Strategy. And that makes sense. You need something to talk about. But focusing on your topic is also where many presentations start to lose impact. Because your audience isn’t there for your topic. They’re there for what the topic means for them. The Difference […]
Why Some Speakers Move Up & Others Stay Stuck
A few years ago, I was working with a client—very smart, very experienced, great at what he did. He had been in Toastmasters, had given a lot of presentations, and by most standards… he was a good speaker. He was asked to present at a leadership meeting. High visibility. Important audience. He prepared carefully. His […]
What a Memoir Prompt Taught Me About Communication
I recently tried a fun AI prompt I came across from Kim Komando. The prompt asked AI to write the opening page of my memoir, but with one important twist: don’t start with childhood. Start with a single moment that captures who I actually am. That instruction alone makes the prompt smarter than a lot […]
Stillness is a Leadership Signal
On a recent cruise to Antarctica, I stood quietly on deck watching an iceberg drift past. It wasn’t loud.It wasn’t rushing.It wasn’t trying to impress anyone. And yet, no one could ignore it. Stillness sends a signal. In leadership settings, that signal often communicates more authority than energy ever could. When leaders want to improve […]
My Journey From Engineer to Eloquence: Speaking, Coaching, Authoring
Podcaster, author, and legal coach Nadia Seklig interviews author and communication coach Diane Windingland as she shares her journey from engineer to professional speech coach and author of 10+ books. She discusses overcoming fear, Toastmasters, self-publishing, using AI tools for coaching and writing, and practical habits to become a confident speaker. 00:00:08 Introduction to Diane […]
Using AI to Build a “Knowledge Bridge” (and Why the Prompt Matters)
If you’ve ever thought, “I’d use AI more… if I knew what to ask,” you’re not alone. Good results start with better prompts, and that’s exactly why I created The Clarity Code AI Prompt PowerPack. Clear prompts lead to clear thinking, clearer messages, and much better output. What surprises people is how dramatically the results […]
How to Communicate Complex Ideas with Clarity
In my latest book, The Clarity Code, I help you enhance your communication efforts with practical tips on how to convey a clearer message. Listen to this podcast interview to discover some valuable clarifying tips and learn more about the book. Get the The Clarity Code on Amazon!
Confusion to Clarity: Mastering the Art of Analogies
Have you ever tried explaining a concept and been met with blank stares? Maybe you’re a leader, trainer, coach—or just someone who needs to make the complex sound simple. And despite your best efforts, your audience looks confused. You know the feeling: polite nods, vacant eyes, maybe even a quick glance at a phone. That’s […]
New! Free Public Speaking Toolkit for Teens
If you teach public speaking to teens—whether in a classroom, homeschool setting, or youth leadership club—you know that helping students find their voice is one of the most valuable skills you can teach. But getting started can sometimes feel overwhelming.What activities work best? How do you make public speaking approachable and even fun? That’s why […]